School Board knocks down another Cooper budget

Dr. Pat Cooper, superintendent of schools for the Lafayette Parish School System, raises his hand to make comments during a Lafayette Parish School Board budget meeting in Lafayette, LA, Tuesday, July 15, 2014.
Photo by Paul Kieu, The Advertiser(Photo: Paul Kieu, The Advertiser)

Only Kermit Bouillion and Mark Cockerham supported the new scenario, which used a combination of board-suggested cuts and staff recommendations to offset a $20.4 million shortfall in the budget for the fiscal year that started July 1. In addition, the board would have used about $5.7 million of its economic stabilization fund. That would have resulted in a balanced budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Board members Greg Awbrey and Shelton Cobb were absent.

Several board members asked why the proposal was the only item on Tuesday's agenda. Board President Hunter Beasley said he had expected more discussion on possible cuts to specific funds. Board Vice President Tommy Angelle commented that he "understands the strategy" Cooper was using.

"The strategy is to try to get a balanced budget," Cooper said. "We're doing exactly what the board asked us to do. Two weeks ago, you said it was taking too much time, and voted on all the cost centers. Then you said, 'Bring us back what the staff wants to restore.' The staff has come back and restored the items, and we've given you that information, and you're free to talk about that information tonight. ...We're not trying to play tricks on you."

Board member Mark Babineaux questioned the philosophy of using about $7 million in capital funds, as well as the $5.7 million from the so-called "rainy day" fund, to make up the deficit.

"These are basically one-time monies..used to pay for ongoing expenses, and it just raises a red flag in my mind," Babineaux said. "It puts us on a dangerous path. It's a cumulative type of effect, and this is money that we'll never get back. I think a better course might be to review what is available to cut back, before we would accept this."

Cooper said that the economic forecasts for the Lafayette area are positive, and there is no reason to think that sales tax collections will slow down anytime soon. That would mean a strong and steady source of revenue, he noted.

Cooper's proposal also called for adding back eight teacher positions at J.W. Faulk Elementary, as well as other teaching slots across the district. It also would have restored five assistant principal slots, and allocated about $1.7 million for new textbooks and software.

Beasley said the board was given a more detailed list of funds that supervisors want to see restored only a few minutes before Tuesday's meeting started. Chief Financial Officer Billy Guidry said some of those suggestions include adding back money for district accreditation, travel for teachers to homebound students, as well as professional development.

The board will probably review those suggestions at its next budget meeting Thursday.

Retired teacher Pat Sonnier urged the board to take its time in going through the materials.

"I would like the board to have the time to review the documents," she said. "It would make us in the public feel much better that you actually study what was given to you."